KUALA LUMPUR: The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has updated the operational license conditions for Lynas, to include the permission to import raw materials containing natural radioactive materials (NORM) until its license expires.
Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang in a statement today said the current operating license allows Lynas to operate with the newly allowed terms until March 2026, when its license is due to expire.
"This consideration also allows the continuation of Cracking & Leaching (C&L) activities, subject to the condition that Lynas must ensure the radioactive content in the Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue is below 1 Bq/g through supervision by local experts," he said.
Chang said the decision was made based on the preliminary laboratory findings that indicated radioactive thorium can be extracted from the WLP residue, enabling the release of this residue from legal control under Act 304.
"The Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry is confident that this development will ensure related operations comply with the legal regulations, protect the interests of the people, subsequently be able to attract billions through investments.
These investments in the local rare earth industry, Chang said, would be beneficial in supporting the advanced high-tech materials manufacturing sector.
Lynas rare earth materials are used in many high tech and future facing applications, including electronics, wind turbines and hybrid and electric vehicles.